Human Trafficking

This month on Crimecall, a man recounts how, while searching for a better life for himself and his family, he became a victim of human trafficking.  His story begins with him travelling from Vietnam to a shed in Ireland, where he was forced to grow Cannabis while living in inhumane conditions and with no means to contact anyone.

Detective Superintendent Derek Maguire from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau was in studio to discuss and offer advice in relation to human trafficking. 

Human Trafficking explained:

Human trafficking is a crime that trades in people and exploits them for financial gain.  Human Trafficking is an egregious abuse of a person’s basic Human Rights, and involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them.

Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime. It is a nationwide issue, in every city, town and village in the country. It is often described as ‘hidden in plain sight’.

Three Pillars of Human Trafficking:

The three pillars of Human Trafficking are Mobilisation, Means & Exploitation of a victim.

Human Trafficking can often be confused with people smuggling. The difference being, people smuggling is people making an illegal entry into the country (they want to come here). Human Trafficking often involved people being forced, deceived, coerced or exploiting their vulnerabilities.

Labour exploitation is the abuse of people in the workplace for profit. Forcing them to render services to another.

Forced criminality involves exploiters forcing victims to commit criminal acts.

Sexual exploitation is the actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power or trust for sexual purposes.

Stories become weapons in the hands of human trafficker’s, good jobs and fair wages just over the horizon. Sometimes, the stories themselves raise red flags.

Human Trafficking is an underreported crime possibly due to the covert nature and peoples lack of awareness around the indicators; often the victims are too afraid to make a report or do not recognise themselves as a victim.

The Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination unit (HTICU) operate within the Garda National Protective Services bureau as a specialist unit is dedicated to investigate allegations and supporting victims of human trafficking.

The HTICU provide advice, support and operational assistance to human trafficking investigations nationwide.

The HTICU proactively pursue a strategy that targets organised crime groups engaged in human trafficking.

Indicators of human trafficking include:

• Poor Living conditions
• Multiple people in cramped spaces
• People who seem scared, confused or have untreated injuries
• One person speaking on behalf of many others, who may avoid eye contact or conversation
• Lights on at workplaces at strange times – are people living there?
• Employer holding identity documents

Garda Message:

• To the public – to report signs or indicators of Human Trafficking
• To employers – When you are employing workers especially through agents or intermediaries that you are satisfied that workers are not being exploited
• To Victims – If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking, you need to consider if someone is controlling your Finances, Identity Documents and restricting your movements.

We have a dedicated website blueblindfold@garda.ie where members of the public can report human trafficking or learn more about it.

The Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111 is open 24 Hours.  In cases of emergency contact 999/112

Garda National Protective Services Bureau